PAULTON Rovers cruised into the next round of the Somerset Premier Cup as two each for Milo Murgatroyd, Kye Simpson and Leo Eglin and one for Dan McBeam ensured a comfortable 7-1 home win over Hengrove Athletic.
The signs were good for Rovers from the off with Simpson making a nuisance immediately. Simpson had a hand in the opener as he linked up with Murgatroyd, putting the attacker through on goal. There was still work to do as the angle to goal narrowed, but he made no mistake in beating the keeper.
The second came quickly in the 8th minute. Leo Eglin nicked the ball in midfield and played in Murgatroyd who used his quick feet before shooting past the keeper.
Eglin bagged his first in the 16th minute after some good work from Dan McBeam gave himself the chance to shoot. The shot was parried by the keeper but only to Simpson and Eglin waiting in the six yard box. Simpson unselfishly let Eglin tap the ball home.
The visitors were shell shocked and although they worked hard, they barely laid a glove on the Rovers defence in the first 30 minutes. Goalkeepe Dan Jackson had very little to do in the Rovers goal.
The lead was extended further in the 30th minute when more neat playfrom Dan McBeam put Simpson through to power a shot past the keeper. Eglin netted his second six minutes later after Simpson once again foxed the Hengrove defence playing through a perfect ball forEglin to shoot home
The second half opened with a number of early substitutions for the home team. Rovers relaxed a little which allowed more time for Hengrove on the ball. In so doing, they became more dangerous and started to threaten to reduce the arrears somewhat.
McBeam got the goal he deserved in the 55th minute as captain Jack Dancey played a perfect long ball over the Hengrove backline for McBeam to chase and hit home.
Despite the setback, Hengrove continued to work and in the 63rd minute got some reward when Jack Farion brought down Goitom Asfaw in the box. Luco Ponsillo netted the spot kick.
The icing on the cake for Rovers came in the 75th minute when a ball across the goal by Corey Rawlings somehow made its way past the goalkeeper and two defenders and straight to Simpson to smash home.
Rovers pressed for more goals with Rawlings and McBeam going close..
Jon Green